Iyorwuese Hagher, a former deputy minister for power and steel, has called on Nigerians to end the culture of celebrating people with unexplained wealth, saying corruption must become socially unacceptable.
Mr Hagher made the call in Abuja on Tuesday at the Verbatim Annual Ethics and Integrity Awards/Dinner, where 100 most integrity-compliant ministries, departments and agencies and their chief executives were recognised.
He said Nigeria’s fight against corruption required more than laws, investigations and prosecutions, stressing the need to rebuild the nation’s conscience and promote integrity as a shared moral responsibility.
The professor said society must stop rewarding individuals who acquire wealth through questionable means and later use philanthropy to gain public recognition.
“It is wrong for people who allegedly stole public funds to gain honour through donations, scholarships, sponsorship of ceremonies and religious activities,” he said.
According to him, generosity cannot erase injustice, and a society that lets stolen wealth buy respect teaches young people that corruption is a legitimate path to success.
Mr Hagher said corruption was not merely the stealing of public funds but a failure to recognise the human consequences of diverting resources meant for essential services.
“When money meant for healthcare is stolen, somebody may die because medicine is unavailable. When money meant for education is stolen, a child may study without books, without teachers, and without a safe house,” he explained.
He described corruption as “violence committed through paperwork”, saying diverted public funds deprived citizens of healthcare, education, roads, security and other essential services. Mr Hagher called for teaching integrity in homes, schools, religious institutions, political parties, public institutions, and professional bodies.
“A thousand lectures on integrity cannot overcome a political culture that rewards corruption. Young people do not learn only from what we tell them; they learn from what they see us celebrate. Nigeria will begin to overcome corruption when integrity becomes honourable, corruption becomes culturally shameful, and public office is regarded as an opportunity to serve rather than a means of personal enrichment.
“So, I urge Nigerians to embrace love as a moral principle in public life which must be expressed through truth, justice, responsibility, restraint, service and respect for human dignity,” Mr Hagher stated.
(NAN)